Alan Hamliko
What’s your name and where are you from/based?
My name is Alan Hamliko. I was born in Syria, grew up in Germany, and now live and work in Berlin.
Can you describe your practice in a few words?
I am an object and jewelry designer, mainly focusing on haptics and structure in my craft. My objects move between an abstract decorative and an organic functional direction. With my jewelry, I hope the wearer develops an appreciation through both the visual and tactile experience, where the handmade quality and textures are central.
What led you into the world of object and jewelry design?
My love for art and fashion started when I was very young. I have always enjoyed making things with my hands, crafting, sewing, and creating. I attended an art focused boarding school where I had the chance to experiment a lot with different art forms. Later, during my design studies, I worked extensively with digital media but found myself missing the tactile, hands on aspect of creation. This inspired me to reconnect with craftsmanship, creating objects
that merge my passion for fashion, objects and manual work.
Having grown up in a multicultural environment, how do you find that these perspectives come into your aesthetic language?
I’m not strongly influenced by culture in my work. My focus is more on the objects I create from different perspectives. What my background does bring is the ability to see design and aesthetics through multiple viewpoints, which enriches my approach.
Where do the organic and abstract shapes in your work come from?
I often make sketches, but not always. My inspiration mainly comes from my original designs, and through the process of developing my work further, new ideas emerge. When I create something, I usually try to transform it into different forms, sometimes adding elements or simplifying it. This ongoing development is the main source of inspiration for my work. Occasionally, I also draw inspiration from everyday moments or shapes I find interesting, but overall, my designs grow out of the evolution of my own ideas.
Your editorial work feels as artistic as the pieces you make, do you think of them as separate, or do they come from the same place?
I see my editorial work and my objects as two parts of the same process. How I design my work is only half of it; the other half is about presenting it visually to reach the people who will appreciate it. I really enjoy presenting my work beautifully and thoughtfully. For me, almost everything should have a concept, and that concept includes not only creating the pieces but also presenting them in a conceptual and editorial way.
What kinds of objects do you find yourself most drawn to making?
I really enjoy experimenting and always want to keep creating new things, so I don’t want to get stuck in one place. If I had to be more specific, I enjoy making rings when it comes to jewelry, and with objects, I like creating small items related to tapas or little details like olive picks, small knives, or tiny spoons.
Is there a detail in one of your works that most people might overlook but means a lot to you?
I am very drawn to the small details like tiny dents, fine ridges, fingerprints, little bubbles, and the small holes in a ring that are sometimes overlooked. These elements are important to me because of their contribution to texture and haptics. For me, texture is a key detail in my work.
What brings you the most peace when you step away from creating?
When I need peace, I like to listen to very calm, almost monotone music. It helps me relax deeply. But when I want to recharge my energy in a different way, I enjoy cooking for my friends and sharing a meal with them. That gives me a lot of joy.
Where can people find you?
People can mainly find me on social media at the moment. In the next few months, I will launch my website and my work will also be available in several concept stores. For those living in Berlin, I always welcome visits to me where they can see my objects and pieces in person.
